Performance Review: Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Peugeot 205 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Peugeot 205 has a 1905cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 205 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 205's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 875 kgs (1929 lbs) this makes the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Peugeot 205 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1905cc 8V St4 engine produces 130 bhp (96 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 119 lb-ft (161.3 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Peugeot 205 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (173.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Peugeot 205.

The Peugeot 205 has a Power to weight ratio of 148.5 bhp per ton and 136.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 205 competing with the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (173.5 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L (173.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Peugeot 205 generating around 136.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1980 BMW 5 Series M535i E12 (161.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1972 Jaguar XJ 12 5.3 (160.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 205 and the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate

When talking about the performance of the Peugeot 205 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.31 secs @ 89.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate (15.24 secs), the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (15.25 secs), and the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (15.26 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v has a maximum speed of 123mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 205 equals the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v then how about the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph), the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (134 mph), or the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (134 mph).

Related Links:

1986 205 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Peugeot

Car Comparison